|
|
| (66 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| {{CountrySidebar | | {{Cook Islands-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb |
| |Country=Cook Islands
| |
| |Name=Cook Islands
| |
| |Type=Topic
| |
| |Topic Type=Records
| |
| |Records=Church Records
| |
| |Rating=Acceptable
| |
| }}{{breadcrumb | |
| | link1=[[Cook Islands Genealogy|Cook Islands]] | | | link1=[[Cook Islands Genealogy|Cook Islands]] |
| | link2= | | | link2= |
| Line 14: |
Line 7: |
| }} | | }} |
| ''For information about records for non-Christian religions in the Cook Islands, go to the [[Cook Islands Religious Records|Religious Records]] page.'' | | ''For information about records for non-Christian religions in the Cook Islands, go to the [[Cook Islands Religious Records|Religious Records]] page.'' |
| =Online Resources and Websites=
| |
|
| |
|
| *[https://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/pambu/catalogue/index.php/archives-of-cook-islands-christian-church '''Archives of the Cook Islands Christian Church, '''] browseable images. This collection includes copies of London Missionary Society birth records from 1849 – 1951, Minutes of the Cook Islands Christian Church General Assembly 1950-1972, Baptism and Burial Records Avarua Church 1977-1987, Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records Arorangi Church 1949-1978, Baptism and Burial Records Arorangi Church 1976-2003, Baptism and Burial Records Arorangi 1994-2008, Baptism and Burial Records, Titikaveka 1973-2009, Baptism and Burial Records, Matavera 1978-2008, Notice of intention to marriage records, Akakiteanga Akaipoipo, Avarua 1919-1974.
| | Christian missionaries from the London Missionary Society began arriving in 1821. The Bible was translated into Maori in 1827. Most tribes lived in the valleys, which was not convenient for the missionaries; therefore, the missionaries talked the tribes into moving closer to shore and building around the mission areas. |
| *{{FSC|34118|item|disp=London Missionary Society. '''Aitutaki Church records, 1877-1909'''}} Microfilm of original Archives of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Includes births records.
| |
| *{{FSC|34122|item|disp=London Missionary Society. '''Church records, 1838-1954, of Rarotonga'''}}. Digitized microfilm of original records of Blackrock Mission Home and at the Archives of Rarotonga, Cook Island.
| |
| *{{FSC|34115|item|disp=London Missionary Society. '''Rakahanga (Cook Islands) Church records, 1902-1931'''}} Microfilm of original Archives of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Records and dates are mixed. Includes: Baptism, and excommunication records.
| |
|
| |
|
| =History= | | ===Parish Registers=== |
| Religions: Cook Islands Christian Church 49.1%; Seventh-day Adventist 7.9%; Assemblies of God 3.7%; Apostolic Church 2.1%); Roman Catholic 17%; Mormon 4.4%; Other 8%. This "Other" group includes smaller Christian denominations, and mostly non-indigenous adherents of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, as well as the irreligious.<ref> Wikipedia contributors, "Demographics of the Cook Islands", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia,'' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_the_Cook_Islands, accessed 20 February 2020. </ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| "The dominant religion of Polynesia and the Cook Islands is Christianity. The missionaries arrived in 1821 and quickly uprooted the old animistic worship of tribal gods and idols. The London Missionary Society focussed its early efforts on the Society Islands. Ex-ironmonger John Williams hit on the idea of using converted Polynesians to spread the gospel to the islands to the west. He sent two Raiateans to Aitutaki in 1821 and others followed shortly after to Mitiaro, Mangaia, Mauke and Atiu. Finally, Rarotonga fell to the new beliefs...Missionaries had a huge impact on the land, structure of society and the people. Most of them came from the lower middle classes of 19th century England, what has been termed the "mechanic" class. They brought their wives with them. Many of these women were the daughters of missionaries in New South Wales, Australia, and were well aware of the hardships of missionary life. The islanders were employed by these families around the mission houses to cook, clean, wait at table and work in the garden....<br>
| | Research use: Uniquely identifies individuals and connects those in one generation to the next. |
|
| |
|
| Before contact with missionaries, the Rarotongans lived inland deep in the valleys and thus protected from neighboring tribes. However, the location of these settlements did not suit the missionaries' attempts at conversion since access was difficult and restrictive. The missionaries set up their stations on the coast and persuaded the chiefs to build villages around them. <ref>"Religion in the Cook Islands", http://www.ck/religion.htm, accessed 20 February 2020.</ref>
| | Record type: Church records kept by religious authorities of births/baptisms, marriages, and deaths/burials. |
|
| |
|
| =Information Recorded in the Records=
| | General: The compilation and preservation of church records is random. |
| Different denominations, different time periods, and practices of different record keepers will effect how much information can be found in the records. This outline will show the types of details which '''might''' be found (best case scenario):
| |
| ==Baptisms==
| |
| In Catholic and Anglican records, children were usually baptized a few days after birth, and therefore, the baptism record proves date of birth. Other religions, such as Baptists, baptized at other points in the member's life. Baptism registers might give:
| |
| {|
| |
| |-
| |
| | style="width:25%; padding-right:10px" |
| |
| *baptism date
| |
| *the infant's name
| |
| *parents' names
| |
| *father's occupation
| |
| | style="width:38%; padding-right:10px" |
| |
| *status of legitimacy
| |
| *occasionally, names of grandparents
| |
| *names of witnesses or godparents, who may be relatives
| |
| | style="width:34%" |
| |
| *birth date and place
| |
| *the family's place of residence
| |
| *death information, as an added note or signified by a cross
| |
| |}
| |
|
| |
|
| ==Marriages==
| | Time period: 1838-present. |
| Marriage registers can give:
| |
| {|
| |
| |-
| |
| | style="width:33%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
| |
| *the marriage date
| |
| *the names of the bride and groom
| |
| *indicate whether the bride and groom were single or widowed
| |
| *their ages
| |
| | style="width:27%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
| |
| *birth dates and places for the bride and groom
| |
| *their residences
| |
| *their occupations
| |
| | style="width:40%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
| |
| *birthplaces of the bride and groom
| |
| *parents' names (after 1800)
| |
| *the names of previous spouses and their death dates
| |
| *names of witnesses, who might be relatives.
| |
| |}
| |
|
| |
|
| ==Burials==
| | Contents: Names of the person and other family members, residence, relationships, dates and place of birth and baptism, marriage, death and burial. Sometimes, baptisms include names of godparents; marriages include the ages of the bride and groom; burials include the age of the deceased and cause of death. |
| Burial registers may give:
| |
| {|
| |
| |-
| |
| | style="width:35%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
| |
| *the name of the deceased
| |
| *the date and place of death or burial
| |
| *the deceased's age
| |
| *place of residence
| |
| | style="width:40%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
| |
| *cause of death
| |
| *the names of survivors, especially a widow or widower
| |
| *deceased's birth date and place
| |
| *parents' names, or at least the father's name
| |
| | style="width:25%; padding-right:10px; vertical-align:top" |
| |
| |}
| |
| <br>
| |
| <br>
| |
|
| |
|
| =How to Find Records=
| | Location: Churches and ecclesiastical archives. These locations need to be more fully investigated. |
| ==Digital Copies of Church Records in the FamilySearch Catalog==
| |
| '''Watch for digitized copies of church records to be added to the collection of the FamilySearch Library.''' Some records might have viewing restrictions, and can only be viewed at a [https://locations.familysearch.org/en/search '''FamilySearch Center'''] near you, and/or by members of supporting organizations. To find records:
| |
|
| |
|
| :::a. Click on the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&placeId=1927201&query=%2Bplace%3A%22Cook%20Islands%22 '''records of Polynesia, Cook Islands''']. | | Population coverage: 10% coverage for early periods; 50% coverage for the 20th century. |
| :::b. Click on '''Places within Cook Islands''' and a list of towns will appear.
| |
| :::c. Click on your town if it appears, or the location which you believe was the parish which served your town or village.
| |
| :::d. Click on the '''"Church records"''' topic. Click on the blue links to specific record titles.
| |
| :::e. Some combination of these icons will appear at the far right of the listing for the record. [[File:FHL icons.png|75px]]. The magnifying glass indicates that the record is indexed. Clicking on the magnifying glass will take you to the index. Clicking on the camera will take you to an online digital copy of the records.
| |
|
| |
|
| ==Writing for Records==
| | Reliability: High.<ref name="profile">The Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Family History Record Profile: Polynesia,” Word document, private files of the FamilySearch Content Strategy Team, 1987-2000.</ref> |
| <span style="color:darkviolet"> You will probably need to write to or email the national archives, the diocese, or local parish priests to find records. See the [[Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy|'''Letter Writing Guide for Genealogy''']] for help with composing letters.</span><br> | |
|
| |
|
| *[https://maps.me/catalog/attractions/amenity-place_of_worship-christian/country-cook-islands/ '''Maps.me Church Listings for Cook Islands''']
| | ===The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints=== |
|
| |
|
| <br>
| | Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints arrived in 1899. In 1949 church membership numbered 160. |
|
| |
|
| ='''Apostolic Church'''= | | == References == |
| ===Writing for Records===
| | {{reflist}} |
| | |
| *[https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jesus-the-Light-of-the-World-Apostolic-Church-Rarotonga/747803451948675 '''Jesus the Light of the World Apostolic Church Rarotonga''']
| |
| | |
| <br>
| |
| | |
| ='''Assembly of God'''=
| |
| ===Writing for Records===
| |
| | |
| *[https://www.google.com/search?q=assembly%20of%20god%20avarua&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS809US810&oq=assembly+of+god+avarua&aqs=chrome..69i57.11365j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&sxsrf=ALeKk02hptY2twQy9nUg11t6B8w9l6XTWQ:1582261651824&npsic=0&rflfq=1&rlha=0&rllag=-21214181,-159801737,2718&tbm=lcl&rldimm=11564803714543883425&ved=2ahUKEwjDksv97-HnAhVKma0KHcHXBFoQvS4wAHoECAgQCA&rldoc=1&tbs=lrf:!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:2&rlst=f#rldoc=1 '''Avarua Assembly of God Church''']
| |
| *[https://www.facebook.com/arorangiaogwestchurch/ '''Arorangi Assembly of God Church''']
| |
| | |
| <br>
| |
| | |
| ='''Catholic Church'''= | |
| [[File:Dioceses of the Catholic Church in Oceania.png|430px|thumb|right|<center>Dioceses of the Catholic Church in Oceania (including Rarotonga Diocese of the Cook Islands)</center>]]
| |
| ===Writing for Records===
| |
| Earlier records can be held at the diocese, with more recent records still kept in the local parish. To locate the mailing address or e-mail address for a diocese or local parish, consult:
| |
| | |
| *[https://www.catholicdirectory.com/search_results?q=&location_value=cook+islands&country_sn=CK&location_type=country&stateSearch=&swlat=-23.0898384&nelat=-8.1679932&swlng=-166.1791992&nelng=-155.6982422&lat=-21.236736&lng=-159.777671&faddress=Cook+Islands&place_id=ChIJ3d57ue-KVHER2LQIiA6lTAI#/ '''The Catholic Directory''']
| |
| | |
| ===Historical Background===
| |
| The first Roman Catholic church was dedicated in 1896.<ref>"Religion in the Cook Islands", http://www.ck/religion.htm, accessed 20 February 2020.</ref>
| |
| | |
| <br />
| |
| <br>
| |
| <br>
| |
| <br>
| |
| | |
| ='''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints'''=
| |
| ===Writing for Records===
| |
| Online information is available to current members, for deceased members, and immediate family members who are still living. [https://www.familysearch.org/en/ '''Sign in to FamilySearch and then select Family Tree in the drop-down menu.''']
| |
| | |
| ===Historical Background===
| |
| During World War II, Matthew Cowley, then president of the New Zealand Mission, assigned Fritz Kruger, a New Zealand baker who owned a business at Avarua, Rarotonga, to help establish the Church on the Cook Islands. He and his family subsequently moved to Rarotonga, and their first convert was Samuel Glassie and his family...A Rarotonga Mission was created 20 November 1960, but later became part of the New Zealand Mission. In 1979, there were 718 members in 10 branches (small congregations) in the Cook Islands. <ref>Facts and Statistics: Cook Islands, https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/cook-islands, accessed 20 February 2020.</ref>
| |
| | |
| <br />
| |
| ='''Cook Islands Christian Church'''=
| |
| ===Online Resources and Websites===
| |
| <br>'''
| |
| | |
| *[https://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/pambu/catalogue/index.php/archives-of-cook-islands-christian-church '''Archives of the Cook Islands Christian Church, '''] browseable images. This collection includes copies of London Missionary Society birth records from 1849 – 1951, Minutes of the Cook Islands Christian Church General Assembly 1950-1972, Baptism and Burial Records Avarua Church 1977-1987, Baptism, Marriage and Burial Records Arorangi Church 1949-1978, Baptism and Burial Records Arorangi Church 1976-2003, Baptism and Burial Records Arorangi 1994-2008, Baptism and Burial Records, Titikaveka 1973-2009, Baptism and Burial Records, Matavera 1978-2008, Notice of intention to marriage records, Akakiteanga Akaipoipo, Avarua 1919-1974.
| |
| *{{FSC|34118|item|disp=London Missionary Society. '''Aitutaki Church records, 1877-1909'''}} Microfilm of original Archives of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Includes births records.
| |
| *{{FSC|34122|item|disp=London Missionary Society. '''Church records, 1838-1954, of Rarotonga'''}}. Digitized microfilm of original records of Blackrock Mission Home and at the Archives of Rarotonga, Cook Island.
| |
| *{{FSC|34115|item|disp=London Missionary Society. '''Rakahanga (Cook Islands) Church records, 1902-1931'''}} Microfilm of original Archives of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Records and dates are mixed. Includes: Baptism, and excommunication records.
| |
| | |
| ===Writing to Local Churches===
| |
| | |
| *[http://www.cicc.net.ck/index.php/cicc-churches '''Directory of CICC Churches''']
| |
| | |
| ===Historical Background===
| |
| The Cook Islands Christian Church (CICC) is the largest religious denomination in the Cook Islands. It belongs to the Reformed family of churches.The CICC is a Christian Congregationalist church and has approximately 18,000 members, including around half of the residents of the Cook Islands. The CICC has its origins in the work of the London Missionary Society (LMS), which began work in the Cook Islands in 1821. In 1852, the LMS founded the Cook Islands LMS Church. <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Cook Islands Christian Church", in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Islands_Christian_Church, accessed 20 February 2020.''</ref>
| |
| | |
| ='''Seventh-day Adventists'''=
| |
| ===Writing for Records===
| |
| Contact mission headquarters to find addresses for the individual churches:<br>
| |
| Cook Islands Mission<br>
| |
| Street Address: Titikaveka, Rarotonga, Cook Islands<br>
| |
| Mail: P.O. Box 31, Rarotonga, Cook Islands<br>
| |
| | |
| Phone: 682-22-851<br>
| |
| Fax: 682-22-852<br>
| |
| Email: office@adventist.org.ck<br>
| |
| ===Historical Background===
| |
| John Tay, an American, was the first Seventh-day Adventist to visit the Cook Islands. During his visit in 1886 Tay sold Adventist literature to the people there. Another missionary voyage to the Pitcairn Islands provided a second opportunity to sell literature and offer medical services to the Cook Islanders. Dr Joseph Caldwell and his wife Julia accepted a request to stay on the island as permanent doctor. Julia, a schoolteacher, opened an English-language school. Along with them remained Dudley and Sarah Owen and Maud Young, a Pitcairner who came as a student nurse. The five Adventists worshipped regularly with the London Missionary Society believers in their church in Avarua. The services were conducted in English, but many islanders attended as well.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "South Pacific Division of Seventh-day Adventists", in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pacific_Division_of_Seventh-day_Adventists, accessed 20 February 2020.</ref>
| |
| | |
| ==References==
| |
| <references />
| |
|
| |
|
| [[Category:Cook Islands]] | | [[Category:Cook Islands]] |
